California Will Require Booster Seats Starting in 2027

Children ages 8 to 16 must use booster seats unless they pass a specific five-step safety test.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Children’s Health

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an empty car booster seat, symbolizing new safety policy regulations. — California will require children aged 8 to 16 to use booster seats starting in 2027, unless they pass a new state-mandated safety assessment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Starting January 1, 2027, California will enforce a new mandate requiring children between the ages of 8 and 16 to ride in booster seats. To be exempt from the requirement, children must successfully pass a five-step safety test.

Why it matters

The policy aims to enhance passenger safety for older children by mandating equipment that ensures seat belts fit correctly. By requiring a specific safety assessment for exemption, the state seeks to reduce risks associated with improper restraint use.

The mandate covers children aged 8 to 16 who do not pass a five-step safety test. This regulation establishes a new standard for occupant protection for this demographic in California.

The details

The new law mandates that children in the specified age group use booster seats unless they meet all five criteria of a safety assessment. This measure is designed to ensure that standard vehicle seat belts provide adequate protection for growing children.

The new California booster seat law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

The Big Picture

This mandate follows a pattern established by the California Vehicle Code occupant restraint requirements. It updates the state's approach to safety by extending protective measures to an older age group.

Parents and guardians in California will need to verify if their children meet the five-step safety test to avoid the mandatory booster seat requirement. Failing the test means families must prepare to utilize booster seats for older children beginning in 2027.

The takeaway

Families should begin evaluating their current vehicle safety setups to ensure compliance before the January 2027 deadline. Understanding the five-step safety test criteria will be essential for parents to determine if their children require additional restraint equipment.